The world lost a very special soul on March 12, 2021. Michelle “Meesh” George Basdel left this earth in physical form to find peace and we've all been left trying to put the pieces together. One of Meesh's favorite places was beautiful Lake Tahoe. I'm sending this to a small and dear group of you because you've been touched by Michelle in your life in some way...by some connection.

In lieu of a larger celebration of life, and to create a place to forever visit her for those she left an unforgettable mark on, I had the idea below and wanted to include you in case you'd like to participate. I thought this would be a special gesture that would last a lifetime for her parents, two sisters (Pam and Melinda), brother (Paul), husband (Matt) and three kids (Brookelynn, George, Bo) to forever hold onto and visit as one of Meesh's favorite places.

The idea - to participate via a donation to a Tahoe Non-profit if you feel it - but no pressure at all: https://www.tahoefund.org/projects/active-projects/tahoe-east-shore-trail/

Along the gorgeous eastern shore of Lake Tahoe from Incline Village south, they have built a new beautiful walking/biking trail that traverses along the edge of the lake as you look down into the crystal clear blue/aqua-green Tahoe water with the large pristine boulders jetting out. Michelle LOVED the water...and it's a powerful place to connect to her alive-and-well spirit. As we were biking as a family recently, we noticed they have installed “remembrance” fixtures of Tahoe rainbow trout plaques (on railing) and Tahoe bear pavers (in ground) along the pathway (see photos in link above). I had to stop my bike in surprise because it was SO beautiful and such an amazing tribute to special people who've passed. I immediately thought of “Meesh”.

The idea is to create a forever-lasting place for loved ones, friends and family to visit Meesh on the shores of beautiful Lake Tahoe and sit and “be” with her as they're visiting or passing through Tahoe.

The Tahoe Fund has created “In Memoriam” donations to honor loved ones and their passion for Tahoe. It's a wonderful way to memorialize a loved one through a philanthropic donation to something that was of great significance and importance to their life. This donation will be put directly toward the Tahoe East Shore Trail to continue the trail which has currently been built through fundraising from Incline Village to Sand Harbor - and will continue to be built from Sand Harbor onward.

There are two options listed below to leave a legacy with an engraved Tahoe bear-shaped paver OR a beautiful Tahoe rainbow trout-shaped plaque. The amount we're able to raise will depend on which we can do for her family:

1) TAHOE BEAR PAVER = $2,500 (in ground, smaller in size ~4” x 8”)

2) TAHOE RAINBOW TROUT PLAQUE = $5,000 (in railing along lake, larger in size ~10” x 24”)

***TO ALL OF THOSE WHO DONATE*** I am going to create a “MGB: Celebration of Life” hard-bound book for her entire family (they will each get a book to hold onto forever...I'm happy to make one for you too) and each person who donates will get 1-2 pages in the book specifically designated to them where I will have picture(s) of your choice (but not required) and I will email you individually to ask what you would like on your page. It could include multiple pictures of you/your family, kids, any pics you might have with Meesh (but not necessary at all), favorite or inspirational quotes, a message to her family, memories you had with Meesh, the mark she left on you, or a combination of all of the above (or anything else you'd like to include...it's your page and you can include whatever you'd like)! Some people on here will have only known Meesh for a few hours or days and some many years. Regardless of the amount of time, this is a gesture to her family to give them a lasting memory, and to let them know how special their daughter was to so many.

I will build the book and will wait until the bear/trout has been placed along the trail so I can take pictures of it to include in the book.

***THIS WILL BE A SURPRISE FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY AND WILL BE A PLACE FOR EVERYONE TO VISIT MICHELLE THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFETIMES AT LAKE TAHOE***

No pressure at all, I know we all have a lot coming at us, but if you would like to be a part of it and feel inclined to donate, I know Meesh's her entire close-knit family would absolutely love and cherish it - you have NO IDEA! No donation is too small - every dollar is a piece of love and memory going toward Meesh and the impact she had on so many of us in this world whether you knew her for a few hours, days or many years - she left an unforgettable mark on so many peoples hearts - it's truly astonishing to hear each individual story.

As Meesh would often quote, “There is only love; everything else is our resistance to it.” (Terces Engelhart)

THANK YOU for the consideration in helping make this a reality - your generosity will truly be treasured FOREVER.

-Kels